Erosion Control in Otjomuise, Namibia
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2008 Erosion Control in Otjomuise, Namibia Marissa Gray, Jennifer Keating, Jocelyn Moody, and Daniel Swan Worcester Polytechnic Institute 5/20/2008 CXP Project Number: 51-SBS-8880 43-0803 Erosion Control in Otjomuise, Namibia An Interactive Qualifying Project Report submitted to the Faculty of WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science by Marissa Gray Jennifer Keating Jocelyn Moody Daniel Swan Date: May 20, 2008 Approved: Professor Creighton Peet, Major Advisor Professor Reinhold Ludwig, Co-Advisor ii Abstract The settlements in Windhoek, Namibia are plagued by erosion problems resulting from severe rainstorms and inefficient use of rainwater. This project focused on the community of Otjomuise, and how various erosion control measures can be implemented to reverse the effects of erosion and utilize rainwater for productive purposes. Working with community members we constructed several structures that served as replicable demonstrations for residents of Otjomuise and surrounding settlements. By working alongside the community we helped mobilize an effort toward erosion control and prevention and effectively improved the sustainability of future projects. iii Acknowledgements We would like to thank the following people for their contributions to the project: Our sponsors, Professor Jane Gold of the Polytechnic of Namibia and Ms. Anna Müller of the Namibian Housing Action Group; Our advisors, Professor Creighton Peet and Professor Reinhold Ludwig from Worcester Polytechnic Institute; A special thanks to Laudika Kandjinga and Andreas Shigwedha from the Polytechnic of Namibia; Professor Ibo Zimmerman and Professor Collert Moyo from the Polytechnic of Namibia; The transportation staff at the Polytechnic of Namibia; The Namibia Housing Action Group and a special thanks to David Shikoyeni; The Shack Dweller’s Federation of Namibia; A special thanks to Sammi of the Shack Dweller’s Federation of Namibia; A special thanks to Edlagh Ujava of Otjomuise; Dr. Andreas Wienecke and the staff at the Habitat Research and Development Centre; A special thanks to Andrea Saldanha of the Namibia Nature Foundation; A very special thanks to the community of Otjomuise iv Authorship 1. Executive Summary written by Marissa Gray 2. Introduction written by all Marissa Gray, Jennifer Keating, Jocelyn Moody, and Daniel Swan 3. Background written by Marissa Gray, Jennifer Keating, Jocelyn Moody, and Daniel Swan 4. Methodology written by Marissa Gray, Jennifer Keating, Jocelyn Moody, and Daniel Swan 5. Results written by Marissa Gray, Jennifer Keating, Jocelyn Moody, and Daniel Swan 6. Conclusions and Recommendations written by Marissa Gray, Jennifer Keating, Jocelyn Moody and Daniel Swan 7. Glossary of Terms written by Marissa Gray and Jennifer Keating 8. Appendix A written by Marissa Gray 9. Appendix C made by Jennifer Keating 10. Appendix D made by Jennifer Keating 11. Appendix E made by Jennifer Keating 12. Appendix F made by Jennifer Keating 13. Appendix G made by Jennifer Keating 14. Appendix H made by Jennifer Keating 15. Appendix I made by Jennifer Keating and Daniel Swan 16. Appendix J made by Jennifer Keating 17. Appendix K made by Marissa Gray v Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... vi Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ iv Authorship........................................................................................................................... v Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………vi List of Figures .................................................................................................................... ix List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... ix Executive Summary ............................................................................................................ x 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1 2 Background ...................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Informal and Formal Settlements ......................................................................... 3 2.1.1 Settlement Formation .................................................................................... 3 2.1.2 Life within the Settlements ........................................................................... 4 2.1.3 Namibian Settlement Formation ................................................................... 6 2.1.4 Life within the Settlements of Namibia ........................................................ 7 2.2 Sustainable Development Projects ....................................................................... 9 2.2.1 Making Projects Sustainable ......................................................................... 9 2.2.2 Settlement Response to Previously Completed Projects ............................ 10 2.3 Community Approach Methods ......................................................................... 11 2.3.1 Community Development ........................................................................... 11 2.3.2 Integrated Rural Development .................................................................... 12 2.3.3 Rapid Rural Appraisal................................................................................. 13 2.3.4 Participatory Rural Appraisal ..................................................................... 14 2.3.5 Participatory Action Research .................................................................... 14 2.3.6 Policy Analysis for Participatory Poverty Alleviation................................ 16 2.4 Soil Erosion Control ........................................................................................... 17 2.4.1 Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting ................................................................... 18 2.4.2 Runoff Rainwater Harvesting ..................................................................... 19 2.4.3 Gabions ....................................................................................................... 20 2.4.4 Tires ............................................................................................................ 22 2.4.5 Vegetation ................................................................................................... 23 2.5 Gardening ........................................................................................................... 25 2.5.1 Climate and Weather.................................................................................. 25 2.5.2 Soil ............................................................................................................. 26 2.5.3 Subsistence Farming and Ways to Improve Soil Quality .......................... 27 3 Methodology .................................................................................................................. 29 3.1 Effective Community Mobilizing Methods ....................................................... 29 3.1.1 Establishing Trust within the Community ................................................. 30 3.1.2 Formation of a Dedicated Committee for Community Mobilization ........ 31 3.2 Acquiring Professional Consultation on Technical Problems ........................... 33 3.2.1 Obtaining Information Regarding Existing Community Development Strategies ................................................................................................................... 33 3.2.2 Establish Contacts at the HRDC ................................................................ 34 3.2.3 Establish Professional Contacts for Technical Expertise ........................... 34 vi 3.3 Assessing Primary Needs within the Community ............................................. 35 3.3.1 Surveying the Effects of Local Rainfall to Determine a Focus Area ........ 36 3.3.2 Mapping Activity ....................................................................................... 37 3.4 Determining the Availability of Suitable Construction Materials ..................... 38 3.5 Implementation .................................................................................................. 38 3.5.1 Selection of Example Implementation Area .............................................. 39 3.6 Visual Aids for Sustainability ............................................................................ 40 4 Results and Analysis ...................................................................................................... 41 4.1 Identifying Erosion Control Methods with the Community .............................. 41 4.1.1 Using Vegetation for Erosion Control ........................................................ 42 4.1.2 Incorporating Tire Walls and Walkways ...................................................... 2 4.1.3 Use of Gabions .............................................................................................. 3 4.2 Availability of Materials ...................................................................................... 3 4.2.1 Locally Available Building